# Stitch Authority resource comparison Generated: 2026-07-28T20:41:22.166Z Comparison: This file preserves the published decision metadata for the selected routes. It is not a recommendation, provider approval, compliance decision, or record of project-specific due diligence. ## 1. AAFA Restricted Substance List Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Check standards - Area: Standards - For: Apparel brands - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Free download - Format: Reference - Source type: Industry organization - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-21 - Next review due: 2026-10-19 ### Best for Surveying finished-product chemical regulations ### What the source establishes AAFA published RSL Version 26 on January 28, 2026 in searchable spreadsheet and PDF formats. The association describes it as a regularly updated reference to laws and regulations restricting chemicals in finished apparel, footwear, accessories, and home textiles. Its methodology records final-product or component limits, jurisdiction, test method, and comments, and excludes factory-process restrictions and non-chemical product-safety rules. ### Know before using AAFA provides the list for information only and says it is voluntary, may contain omissions or inaccuracies, and is not legal advice. A global most-restrictive value is not a complete market or product determination. Verify the current controlling law, jurisdiction, product and component scope, exemptions, effective dates, test method, sampling plan, brand requirements, manufacturing-input controls, and other safety rules. ## 2. Material Exchange Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Choose materials - Area: Materials - For: Apparel brands - Location or jurisdiction: Global - Access: Quote-based - Format: Software - Source type: First-party platform - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-28 - Next review due: 2027-01-24 ### Best for Evaluating an enterprise material-sourcing workflow after requirements are defined ### What the source establishes Material Exchange’s current site presents an enterprise early-stage sourcing workflow and routes prospective customers to a demo. Its Sourcing Hub terms, last modified October 24, 2025, define invite-only registration, AI-assisted material discovery, sample requests, bulk inquiries, negotiation, order-defined service access, subscriptions, and supplier transaction fees. The same terms say Material Exchange cannot verify uploaded certificate statements. ### Know before using The public site’s workflow, security, validation, and outcome statements are operator claims rather than independent performance evidence. The Sourcing Hub, Marketplace, and Digital Sourcing Platform have separate terms and must not be treated as one identical product. Supplier content, uploaded certificates, and AI suggestions are leads, not independent verification. Verify the exact product and Order, material identity and performance, certificate issuer and validity, supplier capability, samples, price, availability, commercial terms, data permissions, and any AI output before a sourcing decision. ### Account, payment, and exit - Access scope: Business brand, supplier, manufacturer, or sourcing team considering Material Exchange’s current invite-only Sourcing Hub powered by Frank for early-stage material and supplier work. - Before an account: Read the public workflow, security, and legal explanations and request a demo. The checked signed-out pages do not expose the live Sourcing Hub, supplier or material catalogue, configured feature scope, trial entitlement, or price. - Free-account boundary: Sourcing Hub registration is invite only and managed by the Material Exchange team. An Order defines each organisation’s authorized service scope and term; the terms say some services may be free and trials may be offered, but the public pages do not promise either. Individualised logins may not be shared. - Payment boundary: No public fee amount is disclosed. Orders or separate agreements define subscription and service charges; paid services may combine a one-time charge with automatically renewing monthly, quarterly, or annual charges. Orders are described as non-cancellable and non-refundable. Supplier transaction fees, sample shipping, scanning, customs, taxes, and separately negotiated services can be additional costs. - Cancellation or exit: Users terminate through support, while paid-service exit can also depend on a separate agreement. The public terms say access can continue through the current term, there is no prorated refund, and renewal stops after termination; they also warn that account termination may destroy associated content. Confirm the required notice, receipt, final access date, and content-return terms in the Order before paying. - Saved work and data: The Sourcing Hub can hold company and user details, sourcing briefs, supplier and material records, files, certificates, prices, compliance data, messages, samples, and detailed transaction records. Users retain ownership of submitted content, but termination may destroy it. The data notice covers personal-data access and portability and says residual copies may remain in active servers or backups; it does not document a self-service complete business-content export, format, or timing. Keep source files outside the platform and negotiate business-data return or export terms. ## 3. Australia Basic Patternmaking Competency Permanent record: Source page: - Primary job: Find patterns & fit - Area: Patterns & fit - For: Both - Location or jurisdiction: Australia · Oceania - Access: Open access - Format: Reference - Source type: Official registry - Linked page reviewed: 2026-07-16 - Next review due: 2026-10-14 ### Best for Scoping training, hiring, assessment, or evidence requirements for basic textile-product pattern development and testing in Australia ### What the source establishes Australia's National Training Register publishes current unit MSTAT3002, Develop patterns using basic patternmaking principles. The release document describes interpreting textile-product design specifications, considering fabric performance, selecting tools and equipment, developing patterns, testing the result, and making alterations. Release 1 was generated December 22, 2022 and merged two earlier units. Current Australian apparel and live-production qualifications list MSTAT3002, while the current diploma also exposes advanced individual-fit, alteration, and fit-model units. ### Know before using This is a competency and assessment reference, not an instructional course, pattern file, qualification by reading, provider recommendation, professional license, or proof that a person can perform the work. The route does not establish enrollment availability, teaching quality, fees, support, recognition outside Australia, or product-specific fit. Confirm the current unit status, packaging rules, prerequisites, registered provider, assessment conditions, local requirements, and actual evidence before relying on it. ## Next checks 1. Remove any route whose audience, jurisdiction, access, or scope does not match the job. 2. Open the permanent record and source page for every remaining route. 3. Recheck facts that can change after the listed review date. 4. Verify project-specific capability, terms, test evidence, and legal requirements with the responsible source or provider. 5. Record the reason for the final choice outside Stitch Authority.